Tape cleaner drive arrangement for a tape library

ABSTRACT

A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.13/523,840, entitled Tape Cleaner Drive Arrangement for a Tape Libraryfiled Jun. 14, 2012, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/497,051 entitled: Tape Cleaner,filed on Jun. 14, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference and Provisional Patent Application No.61/501,077 entitled: Tape Cleaner, filed on Jun. 24, 2011, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tape cleaning devices used intape libraries.

2. Description of Related Art

Magnetic tape is essentially a multiple layered ribbon generallycomprising a substrate that supports a magnetic layer surface atop anunder layer coating. The tape surface is lubricated to improvefrictional robustness between the tape surface and a read/write head,which transfers data to and from the tape as the tape moves under theread/write head, the tape being wound between two reels. As the tapemoves under the read/write head, an air bearing is created between theread/write head and the tape surface, thus creating an air gap, which ina perfect world induces consistent data pulses and essentiallyeliminates any wear between the tape and the read/write head.

Data is stored in the magnetic layer by way of retaining magneticpolarity changes (magnetic pulses) induced by the write element in aread/write head. As the tape traverses under the read/write head thepulses are sensed via the read sensor and with the use of a timer, thepulses are resolved as 1's and 0's known as digital data bits. The airgap created by the air bearing provides a consistent spacing between theread/write head and the tape to repeatedly write the digital data bitspredictably.

In the real world, however, when the tape is read, occasional data bitsare missing. This can be due to a variety of reasons including foreignmaterial on the surface of the tape, which can interrupt the air bearingspacing, thus compromising a predictable data write or read. Examples offoreign material include particulate debris on the tape, smudge on thetape, oxide build-up due to micro-corrosion of the magnetic layer, etc.Recovery of the corrupt or missing data bits is commonly accomplishedwith error code detection and error code correction (ECC) schemes, whichare mathematical predictions of expected data, such as a hash functionor check-sum routine, for example. Likewise, extensive error ratedetection can be an indicator that the spacing set up by the air bearingis compromised, perhaps due to a magnetic tape which has foreignmaterial build-up. If foreign material build-up is the culprit toextensive error rate detections, restoring consistent spacing can, insome cases, solve the problem. Accordingly, the removal of foreignmaterial build-up can be accomplished by way of tape cleaningtechniques, such as wipe-downs, burnish heads or blades run over thesurface of the tape. Such techniques are performed in clean roomenvironments by dedicated independent machines.

It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimedinvention is generally directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments generally relate to a cartridge-based librarythat comprises at least one tape cleaning device used with intelligentclean algorithms to provide enhanced data robustness and longevity oftape cartridges.

Some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a tape cartridgelibrary comprising: a plurality of tape cartridges; a plurality of tapedrives each adapted to form a cooperating relationship with one of thetape cartridges to perform storage operations; a tape cleaning device,entirely within the tape cartridge library, adapted to automaticallyreceive one of the tape cartridges and made to clean recording tapemediapossessed by the tape cartridge when a predetermined reason for cleaningthe tape cartridge is justified. Certain other embodiments contemplatemoving a tape cartridge to and from the cleaning device via a robotictape transporter. Other embodiments contemplate the predetermined reasonis justified when a counter device indicates that the tape cartridgereaches a predetermined limit of load events, the counter device keepstrack of each of the tape cartridge load events, whereby each of theload events occurs when one of the tape cartridges is loaded in one ofthe tape drives to form the cooperating relationship; optionally, thecounter device is reset to reflect that the first tape cartridge hasbeen cleaned. Other embodiments contemplate the predetermined reason isjustified when a time keeping device indicates that the tape cartridgereaches a predetermined time limit from when the tape was either new orhad last been cleaned. Yet other embodiments contemplate thepredetermined reason is justified when error detections of data beingread during the storage operations reaches a predetermined errorcorrection limit, wherein the predetermined limit is based on a tally ofthe error detections made during a present storage operation on the tapecartridge in addition to a history of error corrections of the tapecartridge is retained in non-volatile storage, or optionally, whereinthe history of error code corrections are retained in a medium auxiliarymemory device comprised by the tape cartridge, or optionally, whereinthe predetermined error correction limit is based on a collective tallyof the error corrections from at least two of the tape cartridges, oroptionally, wherein the predetermined error correction limit is numberof error corrections in an isolated area on the recording tapemedia, oroptionally, wherein the predetermined error correction limit is reachedon the tape cartridge. In addition to the tape cartridge targeted forcleaning, only proximal tape cartridges are cleaned via the tapecleaning device.

Other embodiments contemplate the predetermined limit is set by a userof data, or is set by a user of data by way of a graphical userinterface. Other embodiments contemplate an alarm system that alerts auser of data indicating that the tape cartridge is targeted to becleaned. Other embodiments contemplate report transmitting to a user ofdata (a) an account of all tape cartridges that have been cleaned and/or(b) a schedule of tape cartridges that are going to be cleaned. Yetother embodiments contemplate report transmitting to a user of data (a)an account of all tape cartridges that have been cleaned and why.

Yet some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a tapecartridge library comprising: a plurality of tape cartridges; aplurality of tape drives each adapted to form a cooperating relationshipwith one of the tape cartridges to perform storage operations; at leastone environmental sensor adapted to sample an environmental conditionwithin the tape cartridge library; a tape cleaning device, entirelywithin the tape cartridge library, adapted to automatically receive oneof the tape cartridges and made to clean recording tapemedia possessedby the tape cartridge when the sample of the environmental conditionexceeds a predetermined threshold.

Other embodiments contemplate the environmental condition is temperaturebased, i.e., the temperature within the library is either too high, ortoo low, for example. Such a measurement can be made via a temperaturesensor. Yet other embodiments contemplate the environmental conditionbeing an out of range humidity, which can be sensed with a humiditysensor. Yet other embodiments contemplate the environmental conditionbeing an out of range particle count (excessive parts per million) orexcessive chemical contamination (damaging chemicals that exceed partsper million, for example), which can be sensed via a particle sensor ora chemical sensor, respectively, for example. Further embodimentscontemplate the environmental conditions being related to excessiveshock and/or vibration, which can be sensed via one or more shock and/orvibration sensors. It is contemplated that tape cartridges can becleaned automatically or initiated manually based on an alert. It isfurther contemplated that prior to cleaning any tape cartridges, thecondition which exceeded whatever environmental predetermined thresholdwas set is resolved first so to avoid exposing cleaned tapes to the sameproblem. Hence, if the library is found contaminated with excessiveparticles or something is out-gassing, the library can be cleaned first.If the library is overheating, it can be fixed prior to initiating atape clean, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a data storage arrangement constructed inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an illustration depicting essential cleaning components of atape cleaner in the process of cleaning a tape medium in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is an illustration depicting a cleaning blade traversing thewidth of a magnetic tape in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. FIGS. 3A-3C depict illustrations of a cleaning blade that ispositionally shifted during or between cleaning cycles of a tape mediumconsistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective illustration of a tape cartridge shelfsystem constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B depicts a perspective illustration of a tape cartridge magazineconstructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a cleaning method based load count inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a cleaning method based a time limit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a cleaning method based a limit of tapeerror detections in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a cleaning method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a cleaning method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10B are illustrations depicting a T-950 library cabinet inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in general, and more specifically to FIG. 1,shown therein is an illustration of a data storage arrangementconstructed in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. In what follows, similar or identical structures may beidentified using identical callouts.

The data storage arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 can comprise a userof data 102, such as a client or host computer system, in communicationwith a data storage library 100. As illustratively shown, the client 102is in communication with the library 100 via a communication path 104and the library interface device 106. The library 100 comprises aplurality of tape cartridges 120 disposed in a shelf system 115, oroptionally a plurality of portable magazines (not shown) whereby eachmagazine holds a plurality of tape cartridges 120 and is moveable aroundthe library 100. Herein, tape cartridges 120 will be used to denote ageneric tape cartridge with individual tape cartridges denoted with asuffix, such as A, B, C, etc. The shelf system 115 contains a pluralityof slots (not shown) each adapted to accommodate a tape cartridge 120.Here, the library 100 may be configured to maintain a map of the slotsin the shelf system 115. More specifically, each slot has a uniqueidentification, such as an address, that can be mapped by a map system108. A tape cartridge 120 disposed in a particular slot may assume theidentity of the particular slot for purposes of the mapping system.Hence, a tape cartridge 120 disposed in a third slot whose address ismapped as slot number three may be made to assume the identity of slotnumber three. In other words, the tape cartridge will be mapped andidentified as “slot number three” in this example. Optionally, a tapecartridge 120 can be simply identified by a serial number, or otherindicia (such as a bar code, medium auxiliary memory information, etc.).Hence, a specific tape cartridge 120 that may be targeted for cleaningcan be identified via the slot address and transported around thelibrary 100 to the appropriate tape cartridge cleaning device 132.

The library 100 can further comprise at least one robotic transporter124, though in optional embodiments, multiple transporters can exist.The robotic transporter 124 comprises a carriage or other means fortransporting a tape cartridge 120 from the shelf system 115 to aposition ready to load the tape cartridge 120 into a tape drive 130A or130B (data transfer drives) or a tape cleaning device 132 (that is not adata transfer drive). Certain embodiments envision the tape cleaningdevice 132 being incapable of performing storage operations to tapemedium 170, however some embodiment contemplate the tape cleaning device132 being capable of performing storage operations to a Medium AuxiliaryMemory (MAM) associated with the tape cartridge 120. With regards to therobotic transporter 124, some examples of a robotic transporter includesa robotic device that moves along a rail system via a belt device, amotorized rack and pinion arrangement, a lead screw arrangement, a motorwith wheels, etc. Generically, a tape data transfer drive is denotedherein as element 130 and generically the tape cleaning device isdenoted herein as element 132. A tape drive 130 is adapted to cooperate,or relate, with a tape cartridge 120 to perform storage relatedoperations, such as reading and writing data from and to a tapecartridge 120. As shown, the tape cleaning device 132 (or optionallymultiple tape cleaning devices) is entirely located internally withinthe tape library 100 and is adapted to clean the tape medium (not shown)that essentially resides in the tape cartridges 120. The tape cartridge120 can be loaded into or removed from a tape drive 130 via a pickerdevice 122, for example. Likewise, the picker device 122 is adapted toload or remove a tape cartridge 120 to and from slots in the shelfsystem 115. In certain embodiments, tape cartridges 120 may beassociated with different users of data, which can occur when thestorage resources (tape cartridges 120 and potentially tape drives 130)in the library 100 are divided into two or more partitions wherein eachpartition is associated with the different user of data, for example.The position ready to transfer the tape cartridge 120 into a tape drive130 is a location that facilitates a picker to insert a tape cartridge120 in one of the drives 130A or 130B, such as tape cartridge 120A shownin a cooperating relationship with the first tape drive 130A, withoutfurther movement of the transporter 124.

As further depicted, the library 100 provides at least one environmentalsensor 110 (adapted to sample environmental conditions within thelibrary 100), a graphical user interface 133 and an auxiliary memory134, such as one or more disk drives, solid state memory or othernon-volatile memory device/s, capable of retaining (storing) relevantinformation, such as history related information of each tape cartridge120, for example. The library 100 further possesses a computer orCentral Processing Unit (CPU) 136 that houses at least onemacro-controller that actively cooperates with algorithms to orchestrateactions directed to components within the library 100, for example, overa Computer Area Network (CAN), not shown. The library 100 furtherpossesses a controller system 108, which can optionally be functionallyincluded with the CPU 136. The controller system 108 directs operationswithin the library 100 via addresses of the components mapped out forthe client 102 and maintained in storage (i.e., tape slot addresses,drive addresses, robot addresses, etc.). FIG. 1 is illustrative of basiccomponents used to exemplify inventive embodiments disclosed herein. Asone skilled in the art will appreciate, a data storage library willgenerally include devices and structures not shown in the depicted blockillustration of FIG. 1, such as additional controllers (i.e., thosecontrolling other components in the library including the robotictransporter 124), wiring, cooling systems, switch systems, lighting,protocol bridges, etc.

The client 102, or host computer, identifies (or “sees”) the componentswithin the library 100 by transmitting a Small Computer SystemsInterface (SCSI) inquiry to scan the storage system's bus (not shown) todiscover what devices comprise the storage system 100. Optionally, themap system 108 can provide the information directly to the client 102.An inquiry can be a client 102 effectively asking the storage system 100“who are you?” and “what are you?” The storage system 100 can bedisplayed showing a plurality of tape cartridges 100 located atspecified slot addresses in the shelf system 115 and showing that thereare two tape drives 130A and 130B at designated addresses and atransporter 124 and/or picker device 122 at designated addresses thatare able to receive instructions from the client 102, for example.Optionally, the tape cleaning device 132 (or multiple tape cleaningdevices) can be displayed to the client 102.

FIG. 2A depicts the inner pertinent components in a tape cleaning device132. Though, embodiments are described herein may be directed to carbidecleaning blades, other blades are contemplated such as diamond, diamondlike carbon coated blades, and other blades that are wear resistantwithin the scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodimentdepicts a recording tape medium 170, which comes wound inside of a tapecartridge 120, traversing over cleaning blades 172 along the length ofthe tape medium 170 in the directions as shown by the tape motion arrow180. The cleaning blades 172 collect debris/contaminants 174 thataccumulate on the tape medium 170. Primary sources of contaminants thatcan affect proper system operations include: (a) airborne contaminants,(b) tape cartridge 120 related, (c) tape drive 130 related, (d) tapemedia 170 related. Other than airborne and out-gassing sources, theremainder of the sources is related to physical motion of the tape media170 and tape cartridge 120. More specifically, airborne contaminantsinclude dust, human skin, food particles, water based contaminants(chlorine, sodium, etc), green house gases, etc. Cartridge relatedcontaminants can include (a) out-gassing from plastic components used inthe cartridge, (b) abrasive wear of the plastic reel inside thecartridge, (c) debris from the actuation of the hub lock, access door,and (d) wear of the cartridge shell being inserted, extracted from thedrive or library setting, etc. Drive related contaminants may includewear components from (a) rollers and guides, (b) head materials, (c)abrasive wear of the take up reel, and (d) pretty much anything thatcomes into contact with the tape media itself while in motion, orrelative motion. Media related contaminants can come from severalsources, (a) tape slitting process, (b) loose debris after coating andprocessing, (c) HCA particles from tape being removed from the tapebinder, (d) motion of the tape front side relative to the back sideduring winding and storage, (e) tension and tension variation resultingin loose particles becoming free to move about, (f) contact of the tapeedge with tape guides, (g) contact of the tape edge with the flanges onthe cartridge reel, take up reel in the drive, etc. The contamination,as described above, is a leading contributor to necessitate errorcorrection using ECC when reading data off of the tape medium 170.Cleaning the tape medium 170 from debris and other contaminationgenerated in part from extreme environmental conditions can add to thelife and robustness of the tape medium 170, or more inclusively, thetape cartridge 120. A tape cartridge 120, as used herein by example, isintended to mean the entire tape cartridge 120 including the tape medium170 that is comprised substantially in the tape cartridge 120. Hence,even though specifically tape media 170 is written to or is cleaned, forthe purposes of simplicity, generically as used herein, a tape cartridge120 is written to and, likewise, the tape cartridge 120 is cleaned. Withcontinued reference to cleaning a tape cartridge 120, a tape cartridgecleaner 120 can incorporate (a) fibrous buffing surfaces, such as fabricor soft brushes that can be used in combination with liquid chemicalcleaners, (b) ceramic waffle heads, (c) carbide cleaning heads, (d)ceramic knife blades, etc.

FIG. 2B illustratively depicts a cleaning blade 172 with a tape medium170 traversing over the bladed portion 182 in a contact or near contactmanner in the tape motion indicated by the arrow 180. When the tapemedium 170 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 180, debrisis removed, “cleaned off”, the tape medium 170 along the bladed edge182. When the tape medium 170 is moved in the opposite direction fromthe arrow 180, an air film is generated between the tape medium 170 atthe beveled edge 184 of the cleaning blade 172. This air film reducesthe contact force between the tape medium 170 and the cleaning blade172, thus making it possible for the tape medium 170 to lift tape off ofthe cleaning blade 172 to minimize contact to the tape medium 170 ifdesired, such as in a rewind operation. One embodiment contemplates theangle α of the cleaning blade 172 between 2° and 5°, and more preferably3°. The angle α of the blade 172 depends on several parameters includingtape speed and the tape tension, for example. Repeatedly used tapescartridges may require repeated cleaning. The frequency of cleaning maydepend one or more parameters, such as number of usages since lastcleanings, data errors, elapsed time, and others.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate embodiments wherein tape media 170 a-c arepositioned in different locations along the length of the cleaning blade172. The cleaning blade 172 can be moved longitudinally to accommodatethe tape media 170 a-c in the different locations along the length ofthe cleaning blade 172. In one embodiment, a tape transport, or cleaningdrive, comprises a cleaning blade 172 having a bladed edge 182 and abeveled edge 184 is mounted laterally to the tape medium 170, that isperpendicular to the cleaning blade 172 so that the flat surface of thetape medium 170 is in contact or near contact to the bladed edge 182 ofthe cleaning blade 172. In one embodiment, the cleaning blade 172 ismounted on an actuator (not shown) that is capable of moving thecleaning blade 172 in lateral direction to the tape medium 170. Aftercompletion of a tape cleaning cycle a brush (not shown) is brought inclose contact to the cleaning blade 172, and more specifically, thebladed edge 182. The actuator moves the bladed edge 182 across the brushand collected debris is removed from the bladed edge 182. Cleaningdevices other than a brush may used. For example, a cleaning device madefrom cloth or other suitable material may be used.

As depicted in FIG. 3A, a first tape medium 170 a, from a first tapecartridge, is positioned towards the far end of the cleaning blade 172.As shown in FIG. 2B, in order to enhance the performance and life of acleaning blade 172, a second tape medium 170 b, from a second tapecartridge, is shifted towards the middle of the cleaning blade 172. And,likewise, as shown in FIG. 2C, a third tape medium 170 c, from a thirdtape cartridge, is shifted towards the near end of the cleaning blade172. In this embodiment, after the first tape medium 170 a has beenfully reeled across the bladed edge 182 (i.e., the length of the firsttape medium 170 a has been moved across the bladed edge 182 to becleaned—FIG. 2A), the cleaning blade 172 is moved to accommodate thesecond tape medium 170 b in a different location on the bladed edge 182(FIG. 2B). Likewise, after after the second tape medium 170 b has beenfully reeled across the bladed edge 182 (FIG. 2B), the cleaning blade172 is moved to accommodate the third tape medium 170 c in a differentlocation on the bladed edge 182 (FIG. 2C). Moving the bladed edge 182along a path in the direction of the length of the bladed edge can beaccomplished by a number of ways known by those skilled in the art,e.g., a motor, actuator, etc.

In an optional embodiment, the cleaning blade 172 is moved in adifferent position every time a tape 170 is reeled over the bladed edge182. For example, consider the first tape medium 170 a being cleanedthree times consecutively to make sure that the first tape medium 170 ais satisfactorily cleaned. In this embodiment, the cleaning blade 172 ismoved just like that which is shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, but with the sametape medium 170 a being used in all three cleaning blade positions(FIGS. 2A-2C). For example, the first tape medium 170 a traversing thebladed edge 182 in the first position depicted in FIG. 2A for the firstpass, the first tape medium 170 a traversing the bladed edge 182 in thesecond position depicted in FIG. 2B for the second pass, and the firsttape medium 170 a traversing the bladed edge 182 in the third positiondepicted in FIG. 2C for the third pass.

In yet another optional embodiment, the cleaning blade 172 is moved to adifferent position from FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C while just the first tapemedia 170 a is being reeled across the bladed edge 182. For example, atthe beginning of cleaning the first tape medium 170 a, the cleaningblade 172 is in the first position shown in FIG. 2A. During the middleof the cleaning process of the first tape medium 170 a, the cleaningblade is shifted to the second position shown in FIG. 2B. When the firsttape medium 170 a is essentially completing the cleaning process and isessentially fully traversed across the cleaning blade 172, the cleaningblade position is shifted to the third position shown in FIG. 2C. Someembodiments contemplate the shifting being a continuous smooth movementof the cleaning blade 172 from the first position (FIG. 2A) to the thirdposition (FIG. 2C) while the tape medium 170 is being wound over thecleaning blade 172. Other embodiments contemplate the blade shiftingfrom the first position (FIG. 2A) to the third position (FIG. 2C) andthen back to the first position (FIG. 2A), etc., with a one tape medium170 being cleaned in one cycle (one time).

The methods of shifting the cleaning blade 172 different locationsprovides certain benefits, such as reducing the potential of wear tracksforming in a single location in the bladed edge 182, thus improving thelife of the cleaning blade 172. Moreover, shifting the position of thecleaning blade 172 relative to the tape medium 170 can improve thecleaning effectiveness based on debris build-up on the bladed edge 182.

Other embodiments contemplate a feedback system that has knowledge ofthe position of the cleaning blade 172 and a record, stored in memory,of former positions of the cleaning blade 172. Controlling the positionof the cleaning blade 172 provides advantages of even wear across thecleaning blade 172. Examples of controlling the position of the cleaningblade 172 is to move the cleaning blade 172 after interacting with aknown amount of linear tape media 170, such as moving every 100 ft, forexample. Or, optionally, moving after a known amount of time e.g., every30 seconds, or every 2 minutes, etc. The cleaning blade 172 can be a)moved a little bit at a time, or optionally, b) the width or more thanthe width of the tape medium 170. Retaining knowledge, such as inmemory, of how much linear tape 170 has moved across the cleaning blade172 can prompt when to replace or clean the cleaning blade 172. Coupledwith knowledge of the position of the cleaning blade 172 with how muchlinear tape 170 has moved across the cleaning blade 172 can furtherenhance replacement or cleaning of the cleaning blade 172. Otherembodiments contemplate changing or cleaning the cleaning blade 172based on time in use. Other embodiments contemplate rotating thecleaning blade 172 to increase the angle α as the bladed edge 182 wearsto essentially present an improved bladed edge 182 (surface) thatconfronts the tape medium 170, thus increasing the life of the cleaningblade 172 before replacing the cleaning blade 172. With reference toFIG. 4, depicted are tape cartridges 120 supported by a section of theshelf system 115. In more detail, a tape cartridge 120, such as an LTO-3category tape cartridge, comprises magnetic tape that is capable ofstoring digital data written by a compatible tape drive 130, such as anLTO-3 tape drive, manufactured by IBM of Armonk, N.Y., when forming acooperating relationship to read and write data (i.e. loaded) with thetape cartridge 120 as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, a tapecartridge 120 is loaded in a tape drive 130 by being inserted in thetape drive 130 via an opening in the tape drive 130 whereby the tapedrive 130 automatically draws the tape cartridge 120 therein to form therelationship that facilitates reading and writing data. The shelf system115 is shown populated with a plurality of tape cartridges 120. A tapecartridge 120, in this case, a second tape cartridge 120B (used in thediscussion later) can be removed from the shelf system 115, as shown bythe arrow 202, by means of a picker device 122, shown in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, the tape cartridges 120 contain a Medium Auxiliary Memory(MAM) device (not shown), however, in alternative embodiments, some tapecartridges may not contain a MAM device. One example of a MAM device isa flash memory device that is activated by radio frequency, more or lessa Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID). The auxiliary memorydevice 134 can receive information that is maintained on the tapecartridge MAM devices contained via one or more MAM devicereaders/writers 131 associated with a tape drive 130, or an alternativeMAM reader device separate from a tape drive 130, for example.Information from each MAM device can be stored on the auxiliary storagedevice 134, for example. Other embodiments contemplate a MAM reader andwriter device 131 associated with the tape cleaning device 132. As shownhere, the loaded tape drive 130A is in radio frequency communication 133with the auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 (not shown)associated with tape cartridge 201 via the tape drive radio frequencymemory device 230 associated with tape drive 224.

A MAM device, in certain embodiments, is parceled into three regions inwhich data can be stored: a medium device region which containsinformation such as a serial number (or some information correspondingto a tape's bar code, for example), a device region which can containinformation from the tape drive such as load count or error detectiontallies, and host/vendor unique region wherein information such ashistory and/or performance data related to the cartridge 120 can bestored. The information in the regions can be supplemented to with newinformation via an address related to the arrangement of availablestorage space in the cartridge MAM device or, optionally, theinformation can be read by an auxiliary memory reader, i.e., a MAMreader, and reassembled with additional information and stored on theMAM device as the reassembled version, just to name two examples. Inanother example, if the storage limit is reached in the MAM device, suchas the host/vendor data in the host/vendor unique region, thehost/vendor data can be read and stored in an auxiliary storage space,such as the auxiliary memory 134, and the host/vendor unique region canbe purged and made available for new information. In another example,the host/vendor data can be compressed in the MAM, or elsewhere, wherebythe library 100 can be arranged to decompress the compressed host/vendordata, for example.

FIG. 4B depicts an embodiment of a mostly empty tape cartridge magazine260 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Here, in oneexemplary embodiment, the magazine 260 possesses a plurality of slots261, 263, 265, and so on. The depicted magazine 260 can be mapped to aclient 102 as possessing slots one through nine. The tape cartridge “A”120A originated from the first slot 261 and, therefore, is also mappedto correspond to the first slot 261 address, or more specifically, thetape cartridge 120A with an address associated with the first slot 261.Tape cartridge “B” 120B is the only other tape cartridge shown in FIG.2B and is disposed in the eighth slot 267.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a method for cleaning a tape cartridge120 after the tape cartridge 120A has been loaded a number of times inone or more tape drives 130. FIG. 5 is described in conjunction with thetape cartridge library of FIG. 1. It should be recognized that the stepspresented in the described embodiments of the present invention do notnecessarily require any particular sequence unless otherwise stated. Forease of explanation, the below embodiment will follow a single tapecartridge 120A. With reference to step 302, a counter is set to a fixednumber of load events ‘n’ for the particular tape cartridge 120A. Thethreshold number of load events ‘n’ serves as a maximum number of loadevents before an action to clean the tape cartridge 120A is triggered.Hence, if ‘n’ is set to five load events, when the counter isincremented to five load events, an action to clean the tape cartridge120A is triggered. A load event is defined herein when one of the tapecartridges 120 is loaded in one of the tape drives 130 to form acooperating read/write relationship (performing storage operations). Thecounter (not shown) can be a standalone device, but is more preferably,a register, such as a bit field in non-volatile storage, that isincremented, or updated, by a processor each time a load event occurs.In this way, a tally of load events can be maintained and accessed tocompare against a limit, or threshold, of number of allowable loads. Thecounter can be maintained by the auxiliary storage 134, the library CPUstorage 136, a MAM device comprised by the tape cartridge 120, or acombination thereof, just to name several examples. In step 304,instructions are received to load the tape cartridge 120A in a targettape drive 130A in order to perform storage operations. Certainembodiments contemplate the instructions are received by the host 102.Based on the instruction of step 304, the tape cartridge 120A is movedfrom the shelf system 115 to the target tape drive 130A, such as by therobotic transporter 124 and picker device 122, and loaded in the targettape drive 130A, as shown in step 306. In step 308, storage operationsare performed on the tape cartridge 120A via the tape drive 130A.Accordingly, as shown in step 310, the counter associated with the tapecartridge 120A is incremented by one load event. Hence, if the tapecartridge 120A is loaded in the tape drive 130A for the first time, thecounter will be registered to indicate one load event, but if the tapecartridge 120A is loaded for a second time, say in tape drive 130B, thecounter will be registered to indicate two load events. In certainembodiments, the tape drive 130A will update the load event to aregister in the MAM associated with the tape cartridge 120A via an RFtransmission 133A, as shown in FIG. 1. After storage operations arecomplete, the host 102 will instruct the library 100 to move the tapecartridge 120A back to the shelf system 115, step 311. Step 312 shows adecision as to whether the number of loads has reached the fixed numberof load events ‘n’. If ‘yes’ then send the tape cartridge 120A to thetape cleaner 132, if ‘no’ then move the tape cartridge 120A back to theshelf system 115, step 318. In some embodiments, if the decision is‘no’, then the instruction to move the tape cartridge 120A back to theshelf system 115 is queued and the host 102 is informed that theinstruction has been carried out, even though in reality the instructionhas not been carried out. This is done to coax the host 102 in sendingfurther storage related instructions for other tape cartridges 120. If‘yes’ then the tape cartridge 120A is sent to the tape cleaner device132 for cleaning, step 314. After the tape 120A has been sent forcleaning, the counter, or counters, associated with the tape cartridge120A is set to zero and the tape cartridge 120A is moved back to theshelf system 115.

Certain optional embodiments related to the description of the methoddepicted in FIG. 5 contemplate a separate counter that keeps track ofhow many times a tape cartridge 120 has been cleaned over its life time.The separate counter can be maintained in the auxiliary storage 134, thelibrary CPU storage 136, a MAM device comprised by the tape cartridge120, or a combination thereof, just to name several examples. A recordof this nature may be used to restore all data contents from the tapecartridge 120A to a new tape cartridge 120C, effectively replacing theheavily cleaned tape cartridge 120A. Hence, if the tape cartridge 120Ais set to thirty life-time cleanings and the tape cartridge 120A reachesthe thirty life-time cleanings, the data from that tape cartridge 120Ais restored on a new or other used tape cartridge 120C and the old tapecartridge 120A disposed of.

Other optional embodiments that can be related to the description of themethod depicted in FIG. 5 and other methods described below contemplatetailoring load count thresholds for one or a group of tape cartridges120 in a library 100. For example, in certain embodiments, all of thetape cartridges 120 in the library 100 are set to the same number ofload counts. Other embodiments contemplate setting tape cartridges 120from one library partition to a different number of threshold loadcounts from tape cartridges 120 in a different library partition. Yetother embodiments contemplate setting the counter for each tapecartridge 120 according to a common tape cartridge magazine, which holdsa plurality of tapes cartridges 120 therein. Hence, for example, alltape cartridges 120 in magazine-A are set to five load events, but alltape cartridges 120 in magazine-B are set to ten load events. Likewise,load count thresholds can be set according to shelves in a shelf system115, groups of shelves, library cabinet modules (a library can becomprised of multiple library cabinets), etc.

Other optional embodiments that can be related to the description of themethod depicted in FIG. 5 and other methods described below contemplateoptional ways of setting the load count thresholds for one or a group oftape cartridges. For example, in certain embodiments, an operator canset the load count threshold via the graphical user interface 133. Otherembodiments contemplate an end user or host 102 setting the load countvia communication with the library 100. Yet other embodimentscontemplate inputting the load count to the MAM of a tape cartridge 120by an OEM prior to shipping the tape cartridge 120 to an end user.Certain embodiments contemplate a default load count that automaticallysets tape cartridge thresholds in a library via the library 100 (morespecifically via algorithms stored in non-volatile memory executed by aprocessor).

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a method for cleaning a tape cartridge120 after a predetermined time limit is reached. FIG. 6 is described inconjunction with the tape cartridge library of FIG. 1. For ease ofexplanation, the below embodiment will follow a single tape cartridge120A. With reference to step 402, a time limit is set to when aparticular tape cartridge 120A is scheduled to go through a cleaningprocess. Hence, if the time limit is set to every three months, thenwhen the time limit is reached, an action to clean the tape cartridge120A is triggered. A timing scheme can include a standalone device, butis more preferably, a start time is stored in a register, such as a bitfield in non-volatile storage, that is compared against a digital clock,such as that set by the library 100 or the library CPU 136 or some otherclock associated with the library 100 that, in some cases, runs onauxiliary power, and is thus immune to power outages or glitches. Thetime threshold can be maintained by the auxiliary storage 134, thelibrary CPU storage 136, a MAM device comprised by the tape cartridge120, or a combination thereof, just to name several examples. As shownin step 403, the time stamp from when time is initialized for the tapecartridge 120A is set. This can be accomplished by storing the startfrom when time is accounted for the tape cartridge 120A, which can bestored on the tape cartridge's MAM or some other storage devicementioned previously. The time stamp setting the time to T=0 can be thetime when the tape cartridge 120A is first introduced to the library100, when the library 100 is first turned on, when the tape cartridge120A is first loaded in a tape drive 130, or some other starting pointthat is chosen by the library 100, the host 102, an operator, etc. Instep 404, instructions are received to load the tape cartridge 120A in atarget tape drive 130A in order to perform storage operations. Certainembodiments contemplate the instructions are received by the host 102.Based on the instruction of step 404, the tape cartridge 120A is movedfrom the shelf system 115 to the target tape drive 130A, such as by therobotic transporter 124 and picker device 122, and loaded in the targettape drive 130A, as shown in step 406. In step 408, storage operationsare performed on the tape cartridge 120A via the tape drive 130A. Afterstorage operations are complete, the host 102 will instruct the library100 to move the tape cartridge 120A back to the shelf system 115, step410. Step 412 shows a decision as to whether the time limit is reached.If ‘yes’ then send the tape cartridge 120A to the tape cleaner 132, if‘no’ then move the tape cartridge 120A back to the shelf system 115,step 418. In some embodiments, if the decision is ‘no’, then theinstruction to move the tape cartridge 120A back to the shelf system 115is queued and the host 102 is informed that the instruction has beencarried out, even though in reality the instruction has not been carriedout. If ‘yes’ then the tape cartridge 120A is sent to the tape cleanerdevice 132 for cleaning, step 414. After the tape 120A has been sent forcleaning, the time stamp associated with the tape cartridge 120A isreset to start over again and the tape cartridge 120A is moved back tothe shelf system 115.

Certain optional embodiments that can be related to the description ofthe method depicted in FIG. 6 and other methods described hereincontemplate a separate time tracking means that keeps track of when atape cartridge 120 has been cleaned. The separate time accounting can beoperated by the CPU 136, an independent processing unit (not shown), adedicated processing device (not shown), and a processing unit inanother device, such as a tape drive 130, just to name several examples.The time stamp data (the starting point from when the time isinitialized that is used to compare when the time limit is reached) canbe maintained in the auxiliary storage 134, the library CPU storage 136,a MAM device comprised by the tape cartridge 120, or a combination thereof, just to name several examples.

Certain optional embodiments that can be related to the description ofthe method depicted in FIG. 6 and other methods described hereincontemplate tailoring time thresholds for one or a group of tapecartridges 120 in a library 100 in a way similarly discussed inconjunction with FIG. 5.

Other optional embodiments related to the description of the methoddepicted in FIG. 6 contemplate optional ways of setting the timethresholds for one or a group of tape cartridges 120. For example, incertain embodiments, an operator can set the time threshold via thegraphical user interface 133. Other embodiments contemplate an end useror host 102 setting the time thresholds via communication with thelibrary 100. Yet other embodiments contemplate inputting the timethresholds to the MAM of a tape cartridge 120 by an OEM prior toshipping the tape cartridge 120 to an end user. Other embodimentscontemplate a default time threshold that automatically sets tapecartridges in a library via the library 100 (more specifically viaalgorithms stored in non-volatile memory executed by a processor).

In yet other optional embodiments related to the description of themethod depicted in FIG. 6 contemplate optional ways to instigatecleaning a tape cartridge or group of tape cartridges 120. For example,a date and/or time from when a tape cartridge 120 was last cleaned canbe displayed to an operator via the graphical user interface 133, or viaa message to a user of data with a recommendation that cleaning isrecommended.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a method for cleaning a tape cartridge120 after a predetermined error limit is reached. FIG. 7 is described inconjunction with the tape cartridge library of FIG. 1. For ease ofexplanation, the below embodiment will follow a single tape cartridge120A. With reference to step 502, a tape cleaning threshold is set tooccur after a predetermined number of posted error detections. Errordetection and correction are generally employed for both write errorsand read errors. Because a tape drive is inherently susceptible to readand write errors, often due to spacing perturbations caused by debris,corrections “on the fly” with minimal impact on throughput performanceby using embedded error correction code (ECC) and corresponding ECCprocessing (checksum) routines are typically used. ECC is, generallyspeaking, a cyclic redundancy code, such as, but not necessarily limitedto, Reed-Solomon code. Hence, an elevated number of error detectionsrelative to what is “deemed” normal may be in indicator that the tapecartridge 120A needs cleaning. Such an elevated number of errordetections can be used to set the threshold for posted error detections.In step 504, instructions are received to load the tape cartridge 120Ain a target tape drive 130A in order to perform storage operations.Certain embodiments contemplate the instructions are received by thehost 102. Based on the instruction of step 504, the tape cartridge 120Ais moved from the shelf system 115 to the target tape drive 130A, suchas by the robotic transporter 124 and picker device 122, and loaded inthe target tape drive 130A, as shown in step 506. In step 508, storageoperations are performed on the tape cartridge 120A via the tape drive130A. During reading and writing operations, a tally of error detectionsis recorded and maintained in storage/non-volatile memory, such as theauxiliary storage 134, the library CPU storage 136, a MAM devicecomprised by the tape cartridge 120, or a combination there of, just toname several examples, step 510. After storage operations are complete,the host 102 will instruct the library 100 to move the tape cartridge120A back to the shelf system 115, step 512. Step 514 shows a decisionas to whether the number of errors detected has reached the thresholderror limit. If ‘yes’ then send the tape cartridge 120A to the tapecleaner 132, if ‘no’ then move the tape cartridge 120A back to the shelfsystem 115, step 418. In some embodiments, if the decision is ‘no’, thenthe instruction to move the tape cartridge 120A back to the shelf system115 is queued and the host 102 is informed that the instruction has beencarried out, even though in reality the instruction has not been carriedout. If ‘yes’ then the tape cartridge 120A is sent to the tape cleanerdevice 132 for cleaning, step 516. Certain embodiments contemplate thepredetermined limit of errors detected is based on a tally of errordetections made during a present storage operation with the tapecartridge 120A in addition to a history of error corrections of the tapecartridge 120A, a cumulative record of error detections that is retainedin non-volatile storage. After the tape 120A has been sent for cleaning,the tally of errors from the different loads, (or in an extreme case,one load) associated with the tape cartridge 120A and at least one ofthe plurality of tape drives 130, is reset to start over again (i.e.,set to zero) and the tape cartridge 120A is moved back to the shelfsystem 115.

Certain optional embodiments that can be related to the description ofthe method depicted in FIG. 7 and other methods described hereincontemplate a separate error detection tracking means that keeps trackof when a tape cartridge 120 has been cleaned. The separate errordetection accounting can be accomplished by the CPU 136, an independentprocessing unit (not shown), a dedicated processing device (not shown),and a processing unit in another device, such as a tape drive 130, justto name several examples. The error detection data can be maintained inthe auxiliary storage 134, the library CPU storage 136, a MAM devicecomprised by the tape cartridge 120, or a combination there of, just toname several examples.

Certain optional embodiments that can be related to the description ofthe method depicted in FIG. 7 and other methods described hereincontemplate tailoring error detection thresholds for one or a group oftape cartridges 120 in a library 100 in a way similarly discussed inconjunction with FIG. 5.

Other embodiments related to the description of the method depicted inFIG. 7 contemplate optional ways of setting the error detectionthresholds for one or a group of tape cartridges 120. For example, incertain embodiments, an operator can set the error detection thresholdvia the graphical user interface 133. Other embodiments contemplate anend user or host 102 setting the error detection thresholds viacommunication with the library 100. Yet other embodiments contemplateinputting the error detection thresholds to the MAM of a tape cartridge120 by an OEM prior to shipping the tape cartridge 120 to an end user.Other embodiments contemplate a default error detection threshold thatautomatically sets tape cartridges in a library via the library 100(more specifically via algorithms stored in non-volatile memory executedby a processor).

Other embodiments related to the description of the method depicted inFIG. 7 contemplate optional ways of retaining a record of the errorsdetected over the life of a tape cartridge 120. For example, a record ofall errors detected for a specific tape cartridge 120, independent ofthe detected errors that are reset to zero after cleaning, is retainedin at least one of the plurality of storage locations discussed. Thismay be useful to discard, or replace (by transferring data to a new tapecartridge 120), a tape cartridge 120 if the number of detected errorsover the life of the tape cartridge 120 exceeds an overall error limit.It is contemplated that the record of all errors detected be maintainedin at least one of the already mentioned storage devices.

Other embodiments related to the description of the method depicted inFIG. 7 contemplate optional errors detection limits that when triggeredcauses tape cartridges 120 in a proximal region to be cleaned. Forexample, if several tape cartridges 120 have high error detection ratesthan the typical tape cartridge 120 in a library 100, then all the tapecartridges 120 in proximity are sent to be cleaned. This may be due toan isolated particulate contamination problem or a something thatoutgases, for example. The proximal regions are contemplated to be on acommon shelf in a shelf system 115, in a common tape cartridge magazine,in a common library cabinet unit (whereby a library 100 may have aplurality of cabinets or shelf modules), or optionally a whole libraryunit.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a method for cleaning a tape cartridge120 based on environmental conditions. FIG. 8 is described inconjunction with the tape cartridge library of FIG. 1. It should berecognized that the steps presented in the described embodiments of thepresent invention do not necessarily require any particular sequenceunless otherwise stated. With reference to step 526, a tape library 100is provided with at least one type of environmental sensor 110. As shownin step 528, for one or more target tape cartridges 120, anenvironmental limit is set for at least one sample result taken by theenvironmental sensor 110. The target tape cartridges 120 can be thosefor a specific customer who may designate different specifiedenvironmental limits than another customer. Optionally, the target tapecartridges 120 can be those from a certain region in the library 100 orall tape cartridges 120 in the library 100, just to name severalexamples. As shown in step 530, at least one sample measurement istaken, via the sensor 110. As shown in step 532, the sample measurementis retained in a storage device, such as the auxiliary storage 134, forexample. Other sample storage embodiments envision a disk drive, flashor other non-volatile storage device either in or outside of the library100, MAM other storage devices comprised by a tape cartridge 120, forexample. Certain embodiments contemplate additional sample measurementspreviously residing in the storage device when the sample measurement istaken. Step 534 shows a decision as to whether the sample measurementexceeds the predetermined threshold set in step 528. If the samplemeasurement does not exceed the predetermined threshold, then continuemonitoring the chosen environmental condition/s in step 530. If thesample measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold, then move thetarget tape cartridge/s 120 from the shelf system 115 to the tapecleaning device 132 that is located within the tape library 100, step536. As shown in step 538, the target tape cartridge/s 120 are cleanedvia the tape cleaning device 132. Store in memory that the target tapecartridge/s 120 have been cleaned, step 540, and return the cleaned tapecartridge/s 120 back to the shelf system 115, step 542. Continue to takesample measurements. Certain embodiments contemplate storing thecleaning events in memory comprised by the library 100, such as in theauxiliary storage device 134, while other embodiments contemplatestorage of each tape cartridge 120 being retained in memory comprised bythe tape cartridge 120, such as on the MAM or the tape media itself.Such information can be used to gain an understanding of what tapecartridges 120 have been cleaned, when they were cleaned, how many timesthey were cleaned, and the reasons why the tape cartridges 120 werecleaned.

Certain embodiments directed to step 526 contemplate that the sensor 110may be functionally equipped to sense one or more conditions, such astemperature, relative humidity, airborne particles, airborne chemicals,shock and vibration, for example. For example, the sensor 110 may beadapted to measure just temperature, or optionally, just temperature andhumidity, or optionally a plurality of the different environmentalconditions discussed. Certain embodiments contemplate a plurality ofenvironmental sensing devices 110 each adapted to sense a differentcondition located in specific places in the library 100 to optimize whatis being sensed (for example, a shock and vibration sensor at pointswhere the library 100 rests on a floor). Though many kinds ofoff-the-shelf sensors exist to measure the for the aforementionedenvironmental conditions, examples of sensors include thermal couplesfor a temperature sensing, light diffuser and particle laser sensors fortaking particle counts, or gas spectrometers to measure out of rangechemical contamination for different chemicals, such as airborne acids,or other noxious chemicals (e.g., rubberizers, something burning,organic chemicals, etc.), or piezo-electric crystals for shock andvibration, for example. The environmental conditions can be continuouslysensed and sent through a data acquisition system, such as a dataacquisition board and memory device that could reside in the CPU 138, orelsewhere. Sample rates of environmental data can vary depending on thememory and reasonable system requirements (for example, temperature andhumidity may only be measured in multiples of seconds while vibrationand shock may be monitored at milliseconds). The data acquisition systemcan be useful in developing trends, such as rate of temperature changeover a certain period of time. The data acquired from the environmentalsensor 110 can be stored in memory comprised by the library 100,externally, or optionally on a location in each the tape cartridge 120,such as on the associated tape medium or in a MAM or in anther memorydevice comprised by the tape cartridge 100 (i.e., a different solidstate memory).

With regards to step 528 (setting a threshold limit for one or moresamples taken from the environmental sensor) certain embodimentscontemplate threshold limits set for one or more target tape cartridges120 in a common group. For example, the common group might be a group oftape cartridges 120 designated to a specific library partition, to aspecific region of the library 100, to high priority tape cartridges120, to a specific tape cartridge, or to all of the tape cartridges 120within the library 100. Certain embodiments contemplate the thresholdlimit as a sample that has exceeded a predetermined limiting value,while other embodiments contemplate the threshold limit being based onmultiple samples, such as that which validate or corroborate one or moresample values. Optionally, certain embodiments contemplate thresholdlimits as trends from multiple samples taken, i.e., temperature risingover time or sustained vibration over a period of time.

With regards to the decision of step 534, whereby a sample measurement(or measurements) triggers a cleaning response, some embodimentscontemplate automatically putting cleaning steps into motion, whileother embodiments contemplate sending an alert recommending progressingto the cleaning step 312 to an entity that is in control of respondingto the cleaning alert, such as an end user, client, Original EquipmentManufacturer (OEM), or operator (see step 550 in FIG. 9). In embodimentswhere tape cartridges 120 are automatically cleaned based on the presetcriteria (threshold/s, target tape/s, etc.), an entity can be therecipient of what tape cartridges 120 have been cleaned and why, whileother embodiments contemplate that an entity must request what tapecartridge/s have been cleaned and why. In embodiments where cleaningsteps are recommended (alert) based on environmental conditions beingtriggered by predetermined environmental threshold being reached but arenot automatically carried out, an entity can initiate the cleaningprocess with regards to a plan of action to address the environmentalcondition which caused the alert. Such a plan of action may includeaddressing the cause for triggering the alert before cleaning the tapecartridges 120 by a) cleaning the library 100 if the environmentalcondition which caused the alert is particle related, or b) resolving anout of range temperature or humidity problem, or c) fixing a library 100that may have undergone extreme shock and/or vibration, for example (seestep 552 in FIG. 9). In this way, the tape cartridges 120 will not bere-exposed to the same conditions that triggered a cleaning alert in thefirst place. After addressing the reason why a library 100 might havetriggered an alert, tape cartridge cleaning can be initiated byinputting that information via the GUI 133, over a web-based line, etc.

In yet another optional embodiment of the present invention, a tapecartridge can be made to be cleaned if a predetermined reason forcleaning is when a new tape cartridge is determined to have beensubjected to an unfavorable occurrence prior to being introduced to thetape cartridge library, such as during shipping, wherein the unfavorableoccurrence includes extreme temperature, extreme pressure, extremehumidity, extreme shock, extreme vibration, wherein extreme is definedby that which is beyond specifications set for the tape cartridges. Suchan occurrence can be monitored with sensors capable of retainingenvironmental information that are with the tape cartridges duringshipping. Such sensors are further envisioned to be actively powered andprovide the ability to download their data to a computing system foranalysis of their data. Downloading can be accomplished throughwire-line or wirelessly, such as via a RFID technology, for example.

Embodiments of the present invention can be commercially practiced in aSpectra Logic T-950 tape cartridge library manufactured by Spectra Logicof Boulder Colo. FIGS. 10A and 10B show a commercial embodiment of oneT-950 library cabinet/unit 100 (FIG. 1) without an enclosure. The T-950library 600 comprises a first and second shelf system 302, 304 that areadapted to support a plurality of the mobile media, such as the magazine108 (FIG. 1) holding a plurality of LTO-3 tape cartridges 106 with MAMs,archived by the library 600. The shelf systems 636, 638 can each have atleast one auxiliary memory reader. Disposed next to the second shelfsystem 638 are at least four IBM LTO-3 tape drives 640 adapted to writedata to and read data from a tape cartridge 120. The IBM LTO-3 tapedrives 640 each have the capability of storing data to an auxiliaryradio frequency memory device contained in an LTO-3 tape cartridge 120.Functionally interposed between the first and second shelf system 636,638 is a magazine transport space 635. The magazine transport space 635is adapted to provide adequate space for a magazine 634 to be moved, viathe transport unit 124 (FIG. 11), from a position in the first shelfsystem 636, for example, to a tape drive 640. The transport unit 124 canfurther accommodate at least one auxiliary radio frequency memory devicereader. Magazines 634 can be transferred into and out from the T-950library 600 via the entry/exit port 642. Transferring magazines 634 inand out of the T-950 library 600 can be accomplished by an operator, forexample. The T-950 library 600 comprises a means for cooling as shown bythe fans 631, located at the base of the library 600. The T-950 library600 can be linked to a central data base, providing control in storageof all of the auxiliary radio frequency memory devices contained in eachtape cartridge 120 in the T-950 library 600 as read by any one of theauxiliary radio frequency memory device readers. The T-950 library 600also comprises a library controller (not shown) that can function as theprocessor device in addition to an auxiliary storage device, such as adisk drive (or plurality of disk drives). The library 600 furtherpossesses a CPU system and interface 646. The T-950 library 600 alsoprovides a graphical user interface (not shown) whereon a display ofassessment results or, in alternative embodiments, simple messages canbe displayed pertaining to a user-specified action associated with atape cartridge 120 such as an alert accompanying a sound alarm orrecommendations for further action/s, for example. The library 600 alsoillustratively shows a bank of four cleaning drives 650, such as thatwhich can be supplied by Applied Engineering Science, Inc., of EastlakeColo., that each comprise a carbide blade cleaning system.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, multiple, or all tape drives in a library, canbe managed in the tape cleaning processes for example, while stillmaintaining substantially the same functionality without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Another example caninclude using these techniques across multiple library partitions, whilestill maintaining substantially the same functionality without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, thoughcommunication is described herein as between a client and the library,such as the library 100, communication can be received directly by atape drive, via the interface device 102, for example, without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, forpurposes of illustration, a first and second tape drive and tapecartridges are used herein to simplify the description for a pluralityof drives and tape cartridges. Finally, although the preferredembodiments described herein are directed to tape drive systems, andrelated technology, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the claimed invention can be applied to other systems, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be clear that the claimed invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the claimed invention disclosed and as defined in the appendedclaims.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various aspects have been set forth in the foregoingdescription, together with details of the structure and function, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing a tape cartridge library possessing: a plurality of tape cartridges each containing a recording tape medium, a plurality of data transfer drives arranged to perform storage operations with the recording tape medium, at least one tape cleaning drive that is incapable of performing storage operations with the recording tape medium wherein the tape cleaning drive is entirely confined within the tape cartridge library; receiving a load instruction to load a first tape cartridge in a first data transfer drive; loading the first tape cartridge in the first data transfer drive; performing the storage operations to first recording tape medium from the first tape cartridge via the first data transfer drive; cleaning the first recording tape medium via the tape cleaning drive based when error detections of data retained on the first recording tape medium reaches a predetermined error limit.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tape cartridge library further possesses a counting device comprising a counter; incrementing the counter with each of the load events with the first tape cartridge when loaded in one of the plurality of data transfer drives; cleaning the first recording tape medium after a fixed number of load events is reached regardless of the error detections; and resetting the counter to start over after cleaning the first tape recording medium.
 3. The method of claim 1 cleaning the first tape cartridge when the first tape cartridge is first introduced to the tape cartridge library prior to the performing step.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein a record of cleaning the first recording tape medium is retained in a medium auxiliary memory device possessed by the first tape cartridge.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising triggering an action to clean all other tape cartridges in proximity to the first data cartridge when the error detections of data retained on the first recording tape medium reaches the predetermined error limit.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the proximity is the tape cartridges in a same magazine.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the proximity is the tape cartridges in a same library cabinet.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the proximal tape cartridges are from a shelf area in the tape cartridge library that the first tape cartridge as from immediately prior to the reading operation.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined error limit is set by a user of data.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising alerting a user of data indicating that the first tape cartridge is targeted to be cleaned.
 11. The method of claim 1 transmitting a report to a user of data accounting for all of the tape cartridges that have been cleaned.
 12. The method of claim 2 transmitting a report to a user of data wherein the report comprising a schedule of the tape cartridges that are going to be cleaned.
 13. A method comprising: providing a tape cartridge library possessing: a plurality of tape cartridges each containing a recording tape medium, a plurality of data transfer drives arranged to perform storage operations with the recording tape medium, at least one tape cleaning drive that is incapable of performing storage operations with the recording tape medium wherein the tape cleaning drive is entirely confined within the tape cartridge library; receiving a load instruction to load a first tape cartridge in a first data transfer drive; loading the first tape cartridge in the first data transfer drive; reading data retained on the first recording tape medium from the first tape cartridge via the first data transfer drive; determining that an excessive number of read errors occurred when reading the data; automatically loading the first tape cartridge in the at least one tape cleaning drive based on the determining step; cleaning the first recording tape medium via the tape cleaning drive.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the tape cartridge library further possesses a counting device comprising a counter; incrementing the counter with each of the load events with the first tape cartridge when loaded in one of the plurality of data transfer drives; cleaning the first recording tape medium after a fixed number of load events is reached prior to the determining step; and resetting the counter to start over after cleaning the first tape recording medium.
 15. The method of claim 13 cleaning the first tape cartridge when the first tape cartridge is first introduced to the tape cartridge library prior to the performing step.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein a record of cleaning the first recording tape medium is retained in a medium auxiliary memory device possessed by the first tape cartridge.
 17. The method of claim 13 further comprising triggering an action to clean all other tape cartridges in proximity to the first data cartridge when the error detections of data retained on the first recording tape medium reaches the predetermined error limit.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the excessive number of read errors is a limit set by a user of data.
 19. A method comprising: providing a tape cartridge library possessing: a plurality of tape cartridges each containing a recording tape medium, a plurality of data transfer drives arranged to perform storage operations with the recording tape medium, at least one tape cleaning drive that is incapable of performing storage operations with the recording tape medium wherein the tape cleaning drive is entirely confined within the tape cartridge library; receiving a load instruction to load a first tape cartridge in a first data transfer drive; loading the first tape cartridge in the first data transfer drive; performing the storage operations to first recording tape medium from the first tape cartridge via the first data transfer drive; cleaning the first recording tape medium via the tape cleaning drive if a predetermined threshold of errors are reached when reading data from the first recording tape medium while performing the storage operations.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the tape cartridge library further possesses a counting device comprising a counter; incrementing the counter with each of the load events with the first tape cartridge when loaded in one of the plurality of data transfer drives; cleaning the first recording tape medium after a fixed number of load events is reached; and resetting the counter to start over after cleaning the first tape recording medium. 